As animal roommates go, Otis is a typical tail-wagger who loves getting his belly rubbed, is partial to peaches and Cheese Whiz (though not together) and sometimes needs to be pushed to go for a walk. But he’s clean and easy to get along with.

Sure, when it comes to the food bowl, he’s a pig “eating anything and forever,’’ admits his owner, Alex, a University of Toronto student who’s trying to find herself and Otis an apartment.

Of course, that’s because he is a pig, a type known as a micro mini pig, related to the Vietnamese pot-bellied pig.

Otis was a snuffling two-kilogram wiry-haired handful when Alex, 21, got him from Orangeville-area breeder, Ranch Del Santagato. That was in June 2011 and Alex says she was told the black and white pig wouldn’t get bigger than 11 kilograms (the average maximum size of most micro mini pigs).

But Otis appears to be a “throwback,’’ meaning he is much bigger than normal. He’s now 28 kilograms of personality who comes to his name (usually), plays with the family dog (and mimics his bark) and is, well, a hog for affection and attention.

The trouble with Otis (who’s not odiferous, by the way), is that he is an outlaw. As in outlawed. Toronto’s Municipal Code forbids the keeping of pigs of any variety within city limits, with the owner facing a fine of $240 and possible court action, which could result in another fine of up to $5,000.

Alex, who has requested her last name and residence location not be used, currently lives with Otis in the Toronto home she shares with her mom and sister.

But she’d like to move out to be closer to school and has been searching for months for an apartment which would accept her and her porcine companion. She’s checked out dozens of leads, looked at many apartments and talked to lots of landlords but when Otis gets mentioned, the answer is always no. She has even posted an ad seeking accommodation on Craigslist, and has included many photos of Otis, showing off his winsome eyes and pink and black mottled snout.

One place sounded like it had potential but it was in bad shape — not fit for a pig, which is actually a very clean creature, said Alex. Otis is litter trained and very smart.

In their current accommodation, a strong children’s gate keeps the kitchen off limits because Otis has a habit of opening the fridge door and helping himself to whatever is on the lower shelves. He sleeps in a gated area so he doesn’t go looking for late-night snacks.

Ideally, Alex would like a basement apartment or first floor of a house, with access to a backyard and could pay up to $1,200.

Otis has access to the family yard during the day. Neighbours are aware of him but no one has ever, uh, squealed to city authorities.

At night, Alex and her sister take the dog, Hunter, and Otis, who she admits “can be a lazy butt,’’ to the local park. Sometimes people look at the trio in a funny way. “He kind of passes for a Boston terrier . . . at least that’s the hope.’’

Otis enjoys the outings. “When the dog runs and gets excited, Otis starts running too,’’ said Alex, who always has him on a harness and leash. “He’ll make this sound that sounds like a bark.’’

It’s the only time he makes that particular noise, but it turns out Otis has a repertoire of different sounds for different purposes. “We keep discovering new sounds,’’ said Alex.

He squeals when hungry or upset. He has a sulky sound when he wants attention (belly rubbing or cuddling) and doesn’t get his way. Soft oinks are emitted when he’s petted. And when Otis is teasing the dog, trying to push him or taunt him, he makes a sound that “sounds witchy,’’ said Alex, trying to do an imitation of it and laughing.

She’s loved pigs and has always wanted one ever since she was a little girl and visited the Royal Winter Fair and Riverdale Farm.

After high school Alex worked for a couple of years before deciding to buy Otis, paying about $2,000.

She feels the bylaw is unfair as Otis is clean, not smelly and creates no disturbance. But she worries about being found out by a bylaw officer.

Lindsay Santagato says she got interested in breeding pigs more than three years ago after she took in a rescued Vietnamese pot-bellied pig named Hamlet, a.k.a. Hammy.

“We fell in love with it,’’ says Santagato who has a farm in the Orangeville area, Ranch Del Santagato, where she breeds micro mini pigs (smaller than mini pigs). Hammy is the free-ranging 54-kilogram “greeter,’’ meeting all who come seeking piglets.

Santagato has five sows and one boar, and has bred 50 piglets for sale during the last three years. They vary in price from $1,500 to $2,500.

The male piglets are neutered at five weeks and the females are spayed at about four months. Since most of the piglets are adopted between six and eight weeks, those adopting the females bring them back for spaying.

The micro mini pig, also known as teacup pigs, are normally up to 11 to 16 kilograms when full-grown, although Santagato says some have been known to get up to 27 kilograms.

“Sometimes it depends on how they’re fed. And sometimes you’ll get one who’s a ‘throwback’ (to its Vietnamese pot-bellied pig forebears) and can get quite large,’’ she says. (Otis appears to be one.)

Pigs can live 15-20 years. Santagato says she advises people to check out the bylaws where they live but ultimately leaves it up to the buyer. Most major municipalities in Canada forbid keeping pigs as well as other animals considered to be of farm origin.

Valerie Hauch

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